Wide receiver Sidney Rice is unlikely to play this Sunday in Pittsburgh, but he's getting closer and that's significant news. He has missed the past three weeks with a shoulder injury, and this week was going to be an important indicator if this was an injury that he could rehab his way back from in a couple of weeks.

Rice has practiced Wednesday and Thursday, and while he was limited and has not had any contact, he has gotten a heavier workload. That doesn't mean he will play this Sunday, but it's looking increasingly likely that Rice - one of four free agents Seattle signed to start on offense - will be available for Seattle's home opener in Week 3 against Arizona.

Rice is someone Seattle sees as a true No. 1 receiver, his height at 6-foot-4 combined with his reach and leaping ability makes him someone defenses will have to honor by rolling a safety over the top to help the cornerback.

If that happens, Seattle can take advantage of receiver Mike Williams and tight end Zach Miller underneath. If the opponent doesn't roll that safety over, Seattle believes Rice should win that one-on-one matchup. Ben Obomanu is starting in Rice's place.

Notes: Left guard Robert Gallery has practiced without limitation Wednesday and Thursday and appears ready to start. Rookie James Carpenter - who started in Gallery's spot last week - has returned to right tackle. Gallery's absence from the Week 1 lineup left Seattle with the least experienced starting lineup in any NFL game since 1995.

Center Max Unger, who started 17 regular-season games entering this season, was Seattle's most experienced starter. Second-year tackle Russell Okung was second with 10 starts. The remaining three starters were making their first NFL start.